Bayer Leverkusen vs Real Betis

Bayer Leverkusen and Real Betis are set to exchange tackles in the top-table UEFA Europa League Group H showdown at the BayArena.

Bayer Leverkusen pegged Betis back in the reverse fixture last time out (1-1) to maintain their unbeaten start to this Europa League campaign (W2, D1). Indeed, the Germans have demonstrated an impressive bounce-back ability this season, coming from behind to pick up four points from the two losing positions in Group G so far. With confidence bursting at the seams, ‘Die Werkself’ have won five of their last six Europa League matches at home (L1) while they’ve only lost three of their 22 games at the BayArena in the competition overall (W14, D5). What’s more, they have suffered one defeat in their last six European home meetings with Spanish opponents (W3, D2). Against this backdrop, Gerardo Seoane’s men have lost three consecutive home fixtures heading into this encounter, conceding 2+ goals on each occasion.

Meanwhile, Betis fell to a thumping 3-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid over the weekend, seeing their four-game unbeaten competitive run come to a halt (W3, D1). In the Europa League, though, ‘Los Verdiblancos’ have won two of their opening three Group G matches (D1), notably netting 3+ goals in both victories. Additionally, since being beaten by Lyon in November 2013, the Spaniards have gone undefeated in their subsequent seven road trips in the Europa League (W4, D3). To maintain that run, Betis will have to step up their defensive game, as they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in 13 of their 15 competitive fixtures this term, conceding an average of 1.33 goals per game in the process.